It is the season of the response and St Kilda nearly delivered its own against the GIANTS on Saturday. The Saints, in fact, couldn't have come any closer.
The clubs played the first draw of the season at Etihad Stadium after the Saints came back from 18 points down midway through the final quarter to level the scores with two minutes to play.
That Jade Gresham point proved the tie decider, although the Saints had one last chance in the final seconds to edge ahead when Jack Steven bolted down the wing and delivered a pass to Jake Carlisle.
But the former Bomber, who was 35
Collingwood, Essendon, Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs are among the clubs so far this year to follow a week of heavy criticism with a stirring win. Even Adelaide joined the list on Friday night against Sydney.
The Saints almost joined that list of clubs but would have been buoyed by their far improved performance after an underwhelming start to their season.
After looking like they had the game under wraps, the GIANTS' final 10 minutes will come under the microscope after conceding the last three goals of the game.
Brett Deledio (29 disposals, two goals), Callan Ward (29) and Stephen Coniglio (29) were all good for the GIANTS, while the Saints were well led by Seb Ross (31 disposals), Steven (29) and Blake Acres (29). Paddy McCartin booted three goals, including one in the Saints' late run.
The Saints were intent on having a more physical presence this week and started the contest accordingly, with GIANTS midfielder Lachie Whitfield on the end of a couple of heavy hits in the opening term.
The GIANTS led by three points at the first change but the Saints made them earn it in a combative and dogged start.
Clearly picking up some confidence from their approach, the Saints' momentum built in the second term, when they took a four-point lead into the main change.
McCartin had a good quarter, kicking two goals and missing another but continuing to present as an option in attack, while Luke Dunstan curled through a major from the boundary line to propel St Kilda ahead.
Their lead was deserved and should have been more if not for their inaccuracy, and for the GIANTS there would have
The GIANTS had only two goalkickers for the half – with Jeremy Cameron and Ryan Griffen both booting two – but they lacked the spark and energy which often makes them one of the competition's most exciting teams to watch.
Some of the GIANTS' run and flash returned in the third term, as they clawed back in front and held a nine-point advantage at the final change. Dylan Shiel's shimmy, bounce and smart goal from the pocket was the highlight, but
A goal to Jonathon Patton in the first two minutes of the final quarter didn't extinguish St Kilda's hopes of doing that, and their comeback gave a scrappy game a gripping end.
MEDICAL ROOM
St Kilda: The Saints lost midfielder Jack Newnes in the first term to
GIANTS: Nick Haynes hurt his knee in a marking contest in the opening quarter. He left the field several times and was hobbling through it but played the game out.
NEXT UP
The GIANTS play their first game of the season at their home base Spotless Stadium next Saturday night against Brisbane, while St Kilda travels to Tasmania to tackle Hawthorn on Saturday night.
ST KILDA 2.2 5.8 6.12 10.13 (73)
GIANTS 2.5 4.9 7.15 9.19 (73)
GOALS
St Kilda: McCartin 3, Steven, Gresham, Dunstan, Clark, Billings, Long, Weller
GIANTS: Deledio 2, Cameron 2, Griffen 2, Greene, Shiel, Patton
BEST
St Kilda: Ross, Sinclair, Steven, Acres, Long, Hickey
GIANTS: Deledio, Coniglio, Ward, Shiel, Taranto, Whitfield
INJURIES
St Kilda: Newnes (concussion)
GIANTS: Haynes (knee)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Harris, McInerney, Wallace
Official crowd: 14,956 at Etihad Stadium
